There’s nothing better than going on vacation after long months of monotonous, tedious work and daily obligations. Taking a vacation is necessary to unwind, recharge, and take some much-needed time off.
However, it’s not uncommon for things to go awry on vacations. From missed flights and lost luggage to sub-par lodgings, there are plenty of things that can go wrong.
Fortunately, it’s easy to avoid vacation planning mistakes. You just need to do a little research and plan ahead.
We want to help make sure your vacation is everything you want it to be. Keep reading for eight common vacation planning mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Not Saving Up Enough Money
One of the worst things that can happen on vacation is running out of money. The last thing you need is to be stuck in the hotel eating fast food every day because you can’t afford to do anything else.
We recommend saving for your vacation for several months before taking your trip. It’s also a good idea to have more money in your vacation budget than you think you’ll need. If you don’t use the money, you can save it for your next vacation or use it to buy more souvenirs.
On the flip side, having extra room in your budget will be beneficial if you have car trouble, medical emergencies, etc. Consider setting a vacation budget to keep yourself accountable while traveling. It’s easy to spend money on expensive food, souvenirs, and other non-necessities.
2. Choosing the Wrong Lodging
Choosing the wrong hotel or living situation is one of the most common vacation planning mistakes. Make sure you find the right hotel, B&B, or other lodgings that will provide you and your travel companions with everything you need.
This might include:
- A room with multiple beds and divided rooms
- A room with a full kitchen
- Lodging in the right part of town
- Lodging that fits your budget
- Lodging that provides comfort, security, and safety
- Etc.
When traveling with friends, understand the limits of your relationship. While it might be okay to travel together, staying in the same room for several weeks might get old. Make sure your vacation isn’t ruined because you don’t have enough space from your travel companions.
3. Not Creating a List of Things to Do and See
When planning a vacation to a specific place, you must be sure to hit all of the popular tourist attractions. Otherwise, what’s the point? Do a little research online to find fun things to do and see in the area.
Depending on where you go and what time of year it is, this could be anything from visiting museums to going to water parks. Talk to your friends and/or family members and work together to create a list of must-see attractions.
For help planning your getaway to Atlanta, follow this link to find more information on what to do in the area.
4. Not Planning Ahead for Transportation
Common vacation planning mistakes also involve transportation issues. If you’re driving to your destination, this shouldn’t be a concern.
Conversely, if you’re flying to your vacation location, you need to think about how you’re going to get around efficiently. In some areas, walking is always an option. However, walking everywhere can wear you out and become tedious after the first couple of days.
Find out what public transportation options are available. Alternatively, it might be worth it to look into renting a vehicle. If you’re going to another country, make sure you have an international driver’s license to avoid expensive foreign fines.
5. Traveling with the Wrong People
Going on a vacation with friends can significantly enhance your experience. Unfortunately, it also has the potential to ruin your vacation.
Before traveling with friends, make sure you have similar travel styles to avoid one of the most devastating vacation planning mistakes. For example, if you like to be active, explore, and engage in activities, traveling with someone who likes to sit at the beach all day and drink may not be a good idea.
Gong on a vacation with friends who don’t have the same travel style as you can lead to a ruined vacation, and in some cases, a ruined friendship.
6. Not Researching the Area
Next, when traveling to an unfamiliar location, it’s a good idea to research the area. This is particularly important if you’re traveling somewhere outside of the country.
Take time to learn more about their customs, traditions, practices, and social norms. For example, in some places is actually considered rude to tip or look someone in the eye while speaking to them.
Furthermore, popular tourist destinations are common sites for pick-pockets, tourist traps, street hustlers, and scams. Learn what to look out for and how to avoid these types of situations.
7. Not Booking Everything in Advance
Not booking everything ahead of time is one of the most costly vacation planning mistakes. You can save hundreds of dollars by booking hotels online and reserving plane tickets several months before your trip.
When you book your lodging and flights together, you can save even more money. More importantly, booking things in advance ensures you have the flights and lodging you need for your specified vacation dates.
For the same reason, consider booking other activities ahead of time, such as museum tickets, zoo tickets, theme park tickets, and more.
8. Trying to Do Too Much
Finally, don’t bite off more than you can chew on your vacation. While it’s important to experience as much as you can when traveling to new places, don’t run yourself into the ground by trying to do too much. After all, the point of a vacation is to have a good time, relax, and recharge your batteries.
One of the worst vacation planning mistakes is ruining your trip by scheduling too many activities. We suggest making a list of everything you want to do and see. Then prioritize the list to ensure you hit the most important items on your checklist.
Are You Taking Steps to Avoid Vacation Planning Mistakes?
If you’re planning a trip with your family, with friends, or by yourself, follow the tips above to avoid common vacation planning mistakes. As you can see, there are a number of things that can go wrong.
And if you want more lifestyle and travel advice, we’ve got what you need. Read through some of our other articles to find more valuable information. Our blog was created to be a source of reliable information for readers like you.
Hey guys it’s Andrew! I am a writer, a blogger, and a curious human being full of ideas. I remember as a teenager going to my local store to grab a freshly published magazine about the ins and outs of the online business world.
Leave a Reply